Otsego Outdoors Marks 5000th trek
As Lee Ann and Rick Myers of Oneonta completed the Otsego Outdoors Fall Octet Challenge, it marked the 5000th trek Octet participants have completed. A collaborative program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust and Otsego County Conservation Association, Otsego Outdoors connects residents and visitors with year-round recreational opportunities in and near Otsego County.
“This milestone illustrates both the vast array of outdoor spaces we have here in Otsego County and the desire of people to explore them. Congratulations to everyone who has participated since the first Octet challenge,” said Jeff O’Handley, OCCA’s program director. The Octet Challenges started in February 2021.
Rick and Lee Ann Myers, granddaughter Hazel, daughter Kirstin, and son-in-law Ben at the Forest of the Dozen Dads.
“As a result of our participation in the Fall Octet, we have added some hikes to our family favorites for sure - Texas School House State Forest and Forest of the Dozen Dads are among them. Otsego County and New York State have so much to offer,” said Rick Myers, who said he and his wife Lee Ann were accompanied on several hikes with their children and grandchildren. “It’s a wonderful way to spend quality family time together.”
Two new trails are featured in the Winter Octet Challenge, which runs from December 21 to March 19. The new Orange trail at Parslow Road Conservation Area in Hartwick more than doubles the hiking opportunities there.
“Winter Octet participants will notice major trail improvements at the Parslow Road Conservation Area,” according to Anne Wilfer, Public Lands Manager at Otsego Land Trust. “The new bog bridges not only extend the trail, they also help to protect the wetlands. An anonymous donor covered the cost of the raised wooden walkways in order to encourage year-round exploration of the site.”
Also new to the Octet Challenge is the Glenn Waffle Memorial Natural Trail in Laurens, which will be open for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing beginning on January 6, 2023. The 3.7-mile trail, which loops around Colonial Ridge Golf Course, was established, and is maintained by Glenn Waffle’s family to memorialize him and his love of the outdoors.
The Winter Octet Challenge also features four state parks (Glimmerglass, Gilbert Lake, Betty and Wilbur Davis, and Robert V. Riddell), two state forests (Texas School House and Goodyear Lake Waterway Access), the Clark Tower Trail, the Rogers Environmental Center, the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary, and Fortin Park. Glimmerglass State Park and Gilbert Lake State Park each have groomed trails for cross country skiing, and there is no entry fee in the winter. When people complete eight of the featured activities, they receive a free embroidered Winter Octet patch and/or a year patch. They also get listed on the Otsego Outdoors Challenge roster.
Outdoor Events
Along with the featured parks, forests, and trails, people can earn credit for the Winter Octet by participating in an outdoor event. The Otsego County Conservation Association has several upcoming events in January, including a family hike, an astronomy program, and a hemlock wooly adelgid volunteer training with the Butternut Valley Alliance. The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads weekly hikes on Tuesdays at 9:45 am that are open to the public. When conditions permit, Glimmerglass State Park will offer tubing Saturday and Sundays in January and February. Check otsegooutdoors.org for more information.
“Being active outdoors in all seasons is great for both mental and physical health,” said Peg Odell, program and communications manager at Otsego 2000. “Dress warmly in layers, go solo or ask a friend or neighbor to join you, and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. We will be cheering you on.”
She noted that on social media, people are encouraged to tag their photos with #otsegooutdoors and share trail conditions. Photos and trail conditions can also be sent to outdoors@otsego2000.org.
“There is an option for people to get Winter Octet credit for the outdoor activity of their choosing -ice fishing, making a snowman, sledding, skating, winter biking, birding, even shoveling a neighbor’s driveway. The goal is to celebrate being outdoors this winter,” said Odell.